Post-surgical anti-adhesion device

Abstract

Surgical adhesion barriers and methods of using such surgical adhesion barriers are provided. Surgical adhesion barriers according to the present invention have at least one layer of a bioabsorbable material comprising copolymers and/or block copolymers derived from trimethylene carbonate. Alternatively, a multilayer surgical structure having one or more bioabsorbable layers superimposed on a non-absorbable layer is useful for minimizing or preventing formation of fibrous adhesions between a healing trauma site and adjacent surrounding tissue. Alternatively, a bioabsorbable non-woven fabric in adherent contact with at least one bioabsorbable layer of foam, film, mesh, web or woven fabric is also provided. One or more medicinal agents may be interposed between or disposed within any of the aforementioned layers.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for reducing occurrence of post-surgical adhesions comprising placing, at a site of surgical trauma, a biocompatable adhesion barrier which includes: a. about 10 to about 90% by weight of a block copolymer having at least one block of a bioabsorbable copolymer having greater than 50 mole percent of trimethylene carbonate; and   b. about 10 to about 90% by weight of the block copolymer having at least another block of a bioabsorbable copolymer having greater than 50 mole percent of lactide; and   reducing occurrence of post-surgical adhesions.   
     
     
       2. A method for endoscopic minimization of post-surgical adhesions comprising: (i) providing a biocompatable surgical structure including at least two bioabsorbable layers superimposed on a nonbioabsorbable layer, at least one of said bioabsorbable layers including a block copolymer wherein: a. about 10 to about 90% by weight of the block copolymer includes at least one block formed from a copolymer having greater than 50 mole percent of trimethylene carbonate; and   b. about 10 to about 90% by weight of the block copolymer is another block formed from a copolymer having greater than 50 mole percent of lactide;     (ii) inserting said surgical structure into a body cavity through a cannula;   (iii) super imposing said surgical structure over a wound site; and   (iv) thereby causing minimization of post-surgical adhesions.   
     
     
       3. A method for endoscopic minimization of post-surgical adhesions in endoscopic surgery comprising: (i) providing a biocompatable post-surgical adhesion barrier including at least two bioabsorbable layers wherein one of said layers is a bioabsorbable non-woven fabric and one of said layers is a bioabsorbable layer of a block copolymer, wherein: a. about 10 to about 90% by weight of the block copolymer is at least one block formed from a copolymer having greater than 50 mole percent of trimethylene carbonate; and   b. about 10 to about 90% by weight of the block copolymer is at least another block formed from a copolymer having greater than 50 mole percent of lactide;     (ii) inserting the post-surgical adhesion barrier into a body cavity through a cannula;   (iii) placing the post-surgical adhesion barrier over an area of trauma; and   (iv) thereby causing minimization of post-surgical adhesions.   
     
     
       4. A method of preventing formation of post-surgical adhesions comprising: (i) providing a biocompatable surgical structure including at least two bioabsorbable layers wherein one of said layers is bioabsorbable non-woven fabric and one of said layers is a bioabsorbable layer of a block copolymer, wherein: a. about 10 to about 90% by weight of the block copolymer is at least one block formed from a copolymer having greater than 50 mole percent of trimethylene carbonate; and   b. about 10 to about 90% by weight of the block copolymer is at least another block formed from a copolymer having greater than 50 mole percent of lactide;     (ii) superimposing said surgical structure over a wound site; and   (iv) thereby preventing formation of post-surgical adhesions.   
     
     
       5. A method of preventing formation of surgical adhesions according to claim 4 further comprising inserting said surgical structure into a patient's body through a cannula.